In previous columns we have discussed the architectural and strategic uses of bunkers, so now let's discuss how the different configurations and material compositions of these hazards can affect how we play out of them.
There are five factors that will go into determining the shot we will be able to play: lie, slope, lip configuration, material make up and distance necessary for the shot to travel.
First we must analyze the lie of the ball. The lie is the primary factor in determining the type of shot that can be played and type of stroke necessary to move the ball. The most basic types of lies we are most likely to encounter are: ball on top of the sand; ball partly below the top level of the sand (fried egg); ball mostly below the top level of the sand (buried); and sand area not level (footprints, indentations, etc).
Regarding the latter, the bunker rake as we know it today has only been a part of the game's recent history. Many courses did not use bunker rakes as late as the 1960s. Some top-ranked courses still do not use rakes as they deem it more penal to play from an un-raked area, and of course, some golfers may not use them even when they are available, making footprint lies an unfortunate reality for others who follow them.
Other factors that have to be considered when choosing your planned stroke are the type and make up of the material in the bunker. Is it pure sand, very soft and slippery, typical of Florida silicon-based sands? Or is there clay in the mix, turning the sand to a reddish-colored, heavier-textured material typical of Georgia or the Carolinas? If you're in the Midwest, you could find yourself in a bunker of material recovered from a river base, meaning dark gray in color and very heavy in texture.
Additionally, the slope of the bunker floor will affect the trajectory of the shot and change the amount of sand between the clubface and the ball. The lip configuration, and where the ball lies in relation to the lip, will determine the amount of loft necessary for the shot to clear the bunker edge. Finally, the total distance the shot must travel make club selection, swing trajectory and swing speed a part of the final equation.
The PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla., has a bunker practice area with nine bunkers which feature different gradients of sand, slopes, lip configurations and materials. This allows players to recreate the conditions they will find on just about any golf course. It is important to practice from all types of lies and situations, as bunkers are hazards meant to challenge your game and skill is required for a successful recovery.
Whether or not you have access to a similar practice facility near you, be sure to consult your local PGA Professional for expert instruction on playing out of the sand. You can locate a PGA Professional and PGA facilities with practice bunkers anytime by logging on to www.PlayGolfAmerica.com and entering your zip code.
Next time, we will review some of the shot techniques dictated by the factors mentioned above. Until then, here's to better golf!
Rick Martino is Director of Instruction for The PGA of America. He teaches at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and is ranked among the Top 50 instructors by Golf Digest Magazine. The author of the PGA Manual of Golf (Warner Books/$34.95), Martino can be reached at (800) 800-GOLF or by email at pgalearningcenter@pgahq.com.
